AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You think you can manage a crew at your age?”
“Gotta lot of experience,” he grumbled.
“Times have changed, Dad. I can tell you that for sure after all it took for me to get two cars to pay your debt,” I told him. “Not sure you’re ready to make those changes.”
He sat back and crossed his arms over his chest. “What the hell do you suggest I do, then?”
Watching him, I saw something else I hadn’t seen before. He was tired. I’d imagine after thirty years in the business a man could get pretty fucking tired. Although he never touched drugs, his health was bad from years of drinking and smoking, not to mention a diet built on fast food and steak hoagies.
I decided to offer something I never thought I would, and I hoped I wouldn’t regret it. “North Carolina’s pretty nice.”
I saw Tank take another drink of his coffee, but he watched me intently. Dad couldn’t hide his surprise when he replied. “You inviting me into your world?”
“I’m inviting you to come see New Hope. It’s a nice town, filled with nice people.” I lifted my eyebrow. “But I’ll only welcome you with the understanding that you will live your life by staying out of trouble.” I gestured back and forth between Tank and me. “We’ve got friends on the force, and if they tell me you’re doing illegal shit, I’m gonna believe them.”
When he didn’t answer, I glanced at my uncle. “You too.”
He sat back and ran his hand over the stubble on his cheek. Nothing was holding him here. His wife died almost ten years ago, and his only son was stationed overseas. He’d been there for years without any indication that he was ever coming back.
“What’s the weather like?”
I snorted. “Well, I can promise you won’t be buried under ten feet of snow.”
Uncle Theo laughed and slapped the table. “That’s all it takes for me. I’m in.”
“Why now?” Dad asked, and my eyes snapped back to him. “You said you didn’t want anything to do with me. What changed?”
Frowning down at my cup, I thought about his question. He was right. I did say that. The last time I took his call, I asked him not to call me again. I told him he was holding me back, and I couldn’t live my life in fear of going back to prison. He respected that and never called me.
But now things had changed, and I decided to be honest about that. “Got a girl and a kid.” Lifting my eyes, I met Tank’s who was watching me, but he already knew. He had to know how I felt about Becs and Wyatt. I hadn’t been hiding it recently. I twisted my head back to Dad while I spoke. “I’m learning a lot about myself and what I want out of life.”
“You got a kid?” Uncle Theo asked.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “His name’s Wyatt. He’s seven months old.”
“You got a baby and half his life you’ve been here fixing my problems?” Dad asked.
I dug my phone out of my pocket and showed them the picture of Becs holding Wyatt when he was only a couple of months old. “It’s an old picture.”
Uncle Theo whistled, and I smiled. “Wow, boy, how’d you get yourself a beauty like that?”
“He begged,” Tank said, and everyone laughed.
“Here for me,” Dad said, but it was so quiet I wondered if I even heard him correctly. He lifted his head and met my stare. “Got three months left on my probation before I can leave the state. After that, I’m comin’ to meet your girl and my grandson.”
I nodded, not sure he would, but from the look on his face, I could tell he wanted to. Tapping the table, I gestured toward the hallway holding the bedrooms. “Gonna take a shower and pack up.”
I left Tank at the table talking about New Hope and how he landed there while I took some much-needed time to think about how the hell I was going to explain any of this to Becs when I got home. But then I thought about her smile and Wyatt and knew no matter what I had to do or how long it took, I would make it up to her.
Within an hour, we were packed and heading to the airport. I had no idea if my dad would take me up on my offer, but all I could do was make it. It was up to him what mattered the most, and I’d have his answer in a little over three months.
Without saying much on the way to the airport, we waited for hours before we boarded the plane and made the short flight back to North Carolina. I’d driven my truck and had it parked in the lot, so we both hopped in, and I started it up. It felt so good to be back in North Carolina. I felt like I could breathe the minute I left the airport and headed toward New Hope.
“Texted Bear. Told him we’re heading back,” Tank said. “He wants us to go straight to the clubhouse. He’s havin’ church.”
Frowning, I glanced from the road to Tank. “It can’t wait until tomorrow?”
“Guess not.” He shrugged, and I turned to face the road again.
